The NPQML application round is now open.

Introduction

The National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML) is a qualification that provides national recognition of your leadership development and professional achievement as a middle leader. The programme is aimed at individuals in primary, secondary and special school settings with responsibility for leading a team, which may include key stage leaders, curriculum area leaders, pastoral services, subject leaders, heads of department or SENCOs. This qualification is designed to support you in becoming a highly effective middle leader with skills, confidence and knowledge to drive successful team performance and improve classroom practice.

NPQML is delivered in local clusters across the East Midlands and Yorkshire using practitioners and outstanding leaders from around the region. It is expected that participants will complete the programme within 12-18 months. It has been designed to support the participant as you progress through your leadership development journey, aligning your practice in school with the assessment task.

The following content learning areas are covered over the course of the programme:

Teaching & Curriculum Excellence

Strategy & Improvement

Leading with Impact

Working in Partnership

Managing Risks

Increasing Capability

Our Delivery Model

Our delivery model adopts a blended learning approach providing a mix of self directed learning with face to face input, further reading, experience in school and exposure to outstanding practice. Inspiring Leaders recommends for NPQML that the guided learning hours are between 120 - 150 hours for the programme. Click on the links below to explore the different elements involved.

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Self Review

Self Review

All participants are required to complete a self review form based on a set of Leadership Behaviours. This is designed to highlight strengths and areas for development for you to consider and focus on that will enable you to develop and grow as a leader. You will be introduced to this during induction and review at least twice with your sponsor throughout the programme.

Leadership Behaviours

The leadership behaviours, common to each NPQ level, set out how the best leaders operate. They are:

Commitment

Collaboration

Personal Drive

Resilience

Awareness

Integrity

Respect

Face to Face Days

Face to Face Days

The programme content is delivered over the face to face days supported by pre and post day tasks and additional reading.
Participants are required to attend 6.5 face to face days over the course of the programme; 6 full days beginning with an induction and ending with a celebration and a peer led half day school visit.

Each day has been specifically designed with an effective middle leader in mind, using a variety of types of study including theory, models, case studies and accounts of practise to enable each participant to determine their own learning and leadership style. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, coaching and reflection to ultimately empower the participant to build trust and credibility, vision and confidence as a leader.

The induction and leadership celebration will be delivered as a whole regional intake. The rest of the days will be cluster based, delivered in cohorts that are local to you.

The Facilitators

The Facilitators

All face to face days are delivered in your local area by experienced school based senior leaders who are based in your region and have a track record of delivering successful leadership development programmes.

Where possible face to face days will be hosted within school settings, so that we can take advantage of the learning environments they provide including learning walks, lesson observations and staff/pupil input.

The Sponsor

The Sponsor

The sponsor is an important element of the NPQML programme. Each participant is required to identify a sponsor in their own school who will support, challenge and enable them to maximise their leadership development experience back in school. This is usually the participants’ line manager or sometimes the Headteacher.

The sponsor has a key role throughout NPQML including:

Providing a brief supporting statement of commitment on the application form.

Reviewing the Self Review form with the participant.

Enabling the participant with opportunity to put their learning on NPQML into practise.

Ensuring the participant identifies a suitable assessment task that will meet the criteria and provides stretch and challenge.

Verification of the participant’s assessment at the end of the programme.

Leadership Library

Leadership Library

Inspiring Leaders will provide participants with a log in to access the leadership library online. This is an online platform that will allow you to access a range of case studies, up to date national and international research and other high quality resources and activities to support your learning.

Peer led school visit

Peer led school visit

Unique to our delivery model are our school visit days. These sessions are peer led half days which involve a visit a fellow participant's school, providing opportunity to share practice, build networks and learn from each other. They also encourage participants to develop their research skills and to analyse evidence and synthesise it into a cohorant form to communicate to others. There will be opportunity to share learning and findings at the next face to face session following the visits.

Assessment

In order to gain the NPQML qualification, participants are required to complete an assessment task in their own school.

Participants must complete the following task:

Lead an improvement project in their school lasting at least 2 terms aimed at improving pupil progress and attainment and the capability of their team.

Submit a written report that doesn’t exceed 4500 words, demonstrating how you meet the criteria which includes initiation, implementation and evaluation of the project.

It is essential that participants are provided with opportunity to lead a team during their time with NPQML and can have access to the school improvement plan. Participants are encouraged to meet with their sponsor regularly (at least 3 times) throughout the programme.

More information about the assessment including guidance and criteria will be provided at the induction day.

Costs for 2018-19

For NPQML, the cost is £900 + VAT

For schools with less than 210 on role, the cost is £750 + VAT.

If you are a member of a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) and are on our preferred supplier list or your school is one of our partner teaching school alliance schools, you may be eligible for a 10% discount (schools over 210 on role only).

FAQS

How do I apply for NPQML?

You will need to complete an application form and submit this to Inspiring Leaders before the deadline shown. Your Headteacher will be required to complete a short sponsor statement on your booking form to verify your booking and ensure support is provided to your commitment.

What is the assessment requirement for NPQML?

In order to gain the NPQML qualification, participants are required to complete an assessment task in their own school. Participants must:

Lead an improvement project in their school lasting at least 2 terms aimed at improving pupil progress and attainment and the capability of their team.

Submit a written report that doesn’t exceed 4500 words, demonstrating how you meet the criteria which includes initiation, implementation and evaluation of the project.

How much does the NPQML programme cost?

The cost of NPQML is £998+VAT. Your school will automatically be invoiced for this approximately two weeks prior to the start of the programme. However, payment plans are available if you are funding this personally or are from a small school. If you are a member of a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) and on our preferred supplier list or your school is one of our partner teaching school alliance schools, you may be eligible for a 10% discount. Please contact us on 0115 989 1913 for more information.

How long do I have to complete the NPQML qualification?

We aim to ensure that you complete the programme between 12 and 18 months which is in line with DfE guidelines.

Where will the programme be delivered?

NPQML is delivered throughout the East Midlands and some parts of Yorkshire via external venues and schools within our Teaching School Alliances. This includes venues in North and South Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, York and the East Coast. The intake is split into regional cohorts so participants attend most of the days at a venue near to them. However, the first day (induction) and the last day (leadership celebration) will take place as one cohort at the start and end of the programme.

Can I study towards my masters qualification too?

Yes you can. Nottingham Trent University, in partnership with Inspiring Leaders, offers a unique opportunity to maximise your NPQH experience. (You can study in your locality: attendance at Nottingham Trent University is not required). Two national award options are available: